ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Mads]

Just curious if anyone knows what the average life expectancy for Camponotus queens? Also, how large can the colonies get? Thanks.

Mads

[SteveUK28]

Most queens will live for 7+years.. colonies depending on spec.. anything from a few hundred to several thousand.

[Mads]

Thanks. Wasn't sure if they were a short lived species or not. I guess this colony I have here will be around to enjoy for a few years then. Haven't figured out the exact species, hope to get a few good pictures and perhaps someone can properly identify them for me. They were collected in the Okanagan area of British Columbia.

Mads

[Mads]

From what I've been able to figure out, using locality and looking at descriptions of the Camponatus found in this area, I've figured out that they are C. herculeanus. It seems like a fair sized colony, with at least 400+ workers and 500+ eggs and larvae. I found them living inside a large piece of styrofoam that was used as filler inside a large flower pot. I'm hoping they will move out of the styrofoam soon, as it isn't very decorative! Many of the workers and a large portion of the eggs/larvae have been moved into the nest I provided. No sign of the queen yet (I assume she is still in the styrofoam), but lots of new eggs keep appearing, so she must be there, somewhere.

Mads